On Monday night, Project 1:17 had the opportunity to go to the initial screening of TV Land's latest documentary series on African Americans on television called, "That's What I'm Talking About." This was part of their Introduction to Media Studies class.This took place at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.
After watching the first episode, there was a panel discussion with Spike Lee, Wayne Brady and others. Each of the students received a free DVD of the documentary - which many of them got autographed by Wayne Brady!Here's a place where they can offer their own reflections on the experience.
Steve
3 comments:
Can I just say that I am a big fan of lively, knowledgable debates! This show was definitely one of those! The premise of the show is a group of people getting together to discuss topics such as actors, movements, etc., in the African-American World. I really enjoyed it, and learned many things from it.
One of the topics up for discussion was what to be called, as a people. For the older members of the debate, the "N" word was considered offensive, and crude. For the younger debators, the "N" word, with an "A" on the end instead of "ER" was a good term, and was one of the ways to show that they had taken a once demeaning term, and turn it into a compliment. The term "African American" was also brought up. I believe it was Paul Mooney who stated the fact that the term doesn't really fit everyone of color, as most have lived in America for generations. He said a better term would be "Stolen African" in regards to the slave trade, when most of the African Americans came over to America. Also, "Black" was brought to the table, but the point had become moot. Everyone had their own terms that they preferred to be known by. I would just like to state here that any terms I use in this come from the debators themselves. If I use "Black" or "African-American" or "people of color" it is taken from the show.
The topic of early African-American actors, and whether they did what they had to, or were they sell-outs. For the older generation, these actors were considered courageous, and thought to have done all that was accessible to them at the time. A quote from one actress of the time was "I'd rather play a maid, then be one." This was in regards to how people felt about the fact that most Black actors played roles as maids, servants, or buffoons. The younger generation saw this as a cop-out, or sell-out. They felt that the actors should have demanded more.
One thing Dihann Carroll mentioned was the fact that, as a Black actor, each step you take brings everyone behind one step closer. The actors of the first days of film were pioneers in that they were actually able to be on screen. Later, as time went on, new milestones were met, leading up to today, and where Black actors/singers/musicians/writers/etc. are.
The debate was wonderful in that it made clear to the viewer that, as a people, they are not all united in their views. This is something that should have been obvious, but not everyone sees. The amazing opportunity to later have the audience interact with the members from the show who were on stage allowed for further discussion. We met a man in the audience who had been on Broadway and had been one of the first African-American to play certain roles that had been given to White men in the past.
I just want to thank Steve for allowing us this opportunity. It was greatly enjoyed by myself and others! Plus, meeting Wayne Brady didn't hurt! Did you like your autograph Steve? I told him you couldn't make it.
That's my two cents, but maybe it was only worth one???????
I thought the people who put this whole thing together did a fantastic job. They really put a nice twist, for lack of a better term, on what we normally see on tv for Black History month.
I really believe that a lot of thought went into choosing the individuals who would make up this panel. From the host, Wayne Brady to all the other guys who participated in the discussion.
I especially liked them choosing Paul Mooney. He was the person who didn't necessarily have to be "politically correct" and just keep it real. You could take him serious but then you'd have to think twice because he's a comedian.
Then there was also that cultural/generational mix. You had the old school guys with the new school and the Mooney was sorta in the middle. I really liked it though.
My favorite memory though was probably when a white lady got up and said that most white Americans don't have black friends. That was kind of funny to hear.
This night was great it brought me back to my childhood when i was in grade school. all i did was study african american histroy in every aspect that i could because i ws not thought in my own school. and then the whole thought of the word nigger and it being used to empower now. i think that is stupid only because of were the word came from and how it was so deeply rootedin hated. for me i don't really care who you are don't ever call my a nigger or a nigga as it is more on the lines the brother to brother word today.
having people that i looked to as a kid like Spike Lee who is an amazing director, and a better out spoke activist. it was great. and then to here people in the debate talking and asking question that brought back more of my childhood was better. i only wish that there had been more time for Q and A
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